Method and apparatus for centrifugal treatment of substances



May 7, 1929. D.-JONES 1,711,533

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGAL TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCES Filed June25, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l y 7, 1929- L. D. JONES 7 1,711,533

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGAL TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCES Filed June25, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 w 6 1521 Z2 0 u SS v 5 4515 a 3 l. 5 -3 .5 4j;

4 2 e Z4 2 A 2? j 12 Z /1 51 Patented May 7, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,711,533 PATENT OFFICE.

LEO D. JONES, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE SHARPLESSPECIALTY COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, IENNSYLVANIA, A. CORPORATION OFDELAWARE.

METHOD AN D APPARATUS FOR CENTRIFUGAL TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCES.

Application filed June 25,

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for centrifugaltreatment of substances.

In the many industrial operations, constantly increasing in number, thatare effected by centrifugal treatment, a substance issubjected tocentrifugal force to effect a desired change and thereafter thesubstance or aconstituent thereof is discharged in a highly dispersedstate. When the substance or constituent is in such dispersed form it ishighly sensitive to the influences of the gas or atmosphere in contactwith it, and the substance or a constituent thereof may be evaporated ormay be undesirably affected, as by oxidation. In the centrifugaltreatment of a solution or suspension, such evaporation may besutiiciently extensive to cause a deposit of the suspended or dissolvedsolid at points that may result in clogging of the machine or may resultin contact between a rotating part and a body of such deposit on astationary part, such a result being especially dangerous in the case ofinflammable material. Moreover, centrifugal machines ordinarilycomprisea rotating bowl and stationary receptacles or covers forcollecting substances discharged in dispersed form, and the rotation ofthe bowl causes air or gas to flow into and out of, and to circulatewithin, the receiving covers and other parts of the centrifugal machine.If the centrifugal bowl has a necklike portion that is positioned incentral openings in the covers, as is frequently the case, air will flowthrough the spaces between the neck of the bowl and the covers and willflow outof the covers with the constituent collected therein, and itwill circulate within the covers. The flow of gas or air into and out ofthe parts of the machine and the circulation of gas or air within thecovers, increases the effect of such gas or air upon the dispersedsubstance or constituent.

A feature of my invention consists in preventing evaporation of asubstance or of a Igonstituent discharged from a centrifugal bowl indispersed form, or preventing the formation of deposits from solutionsof solids or semi-solids so discharged, by maintaining in contact with adispersed discharge an atmosphere suitable for such purposes. Anotherfeature of my invention consists in pre venting undesirable alterationof such a dispersed substance or constituent, such as oxida- 1927.Serial No. 201,508.

tion thereof, or preventing evaporation thereof or formation of depositstherefrom, by maintaining in contact with the dispersed discharge anatmosphere consisting of, or laden with, or substantially saturatedwith, vapors of the discharged substance or constituent. Another featureof my invention consists in maintaining such an atmosphere, of thecharacter last described, in contact with such dispersed discharge, byreturning into contact with the dispersed discharge gas or vaporpreviously in contact therewith, as by returning to the space betweenthe bowl and the edge of the central opening of a cover or to anyradially inward point of a cover, or to any normal gas-inflow point ofthe centrifugal machine, gas or vapor from the spout of a cover, or fromany radially outward point of a cover, or from any normal gas-outflowpoint of the centrifugal machine. Another feature of my inventionconsists in circulating over a similar path any suitable gas or vaporsupplied from an external source and thereby maintaining an atmosphere,of the gas or vapor so supplied, in contact with the dispersed dischargeto control the condition thereof or to prevent alteration or evaporationthereof, or the formation of deposits. Another feature of my inventionconsists in maintaining such circulation of gas or vapor by takingadvantage of the tendency of gas to flow into and out of centrifugalmachines comprising a rotor and collecting covers.

An object of my invention is to provide a method, and apparatus for thepractice thereof, which embodies the features above set forth orapparent from the following description. Other and further objects of myinvention will appear from the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference charactersindicate like parts,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view, somewhat diagrammatic and withparts broken away, of a known centrifugal machine, indicating theprobable paths of gas or air circulation therein and possible effectsthereof.

Fig, 2.is a vertical sectional view, with parts'broken away, of acentrifugal machine embodying my invention and whereby my process may bepractised;

Fig. 3 is a detail view.

In Fig. 1 of the drawings there is shown somewhat diagrannnatically acentrifugal machine having features common to known centrifugalmachines. The centrifugal bowl 1 is provided with a neck portion 2 ofreduced diameter; and while the discharge openings of the bowl may be ofany form or number or arrangement suitable to the desired centrifugaltreatment, the bowl shown is provided with discharge openings 3 for thedischarge of a single substance or constituent and is therefore of theclarifier type. Encirclin the bowl are receptacles or covers 4- and 0adapted to receive substances or constituents thereof discharged fromthe bowl. Cover 4 conveniently consists of a frustoconical bottom 4*,and substantially cy1indrical side wall 4", and it is closed at itstopby a frusto-conical member 5 which constitutes the bottom of cover 5which includes also a cylindrical side wall 5 upon which is placed a topcover member. 5.

The members 4, 5 and 5 are provided with central openings, the edges ofwhich lie in spaced relation to the bowl and the neck thereof. Thecovers 4 and 5 are respectively provided with discharge spouts 4 and 5.Radial wings 4 carried by member 5 may be located in cover 4. It iscommon in centrifugal machines to have a cover, such as the cover 4,below covers that are opposite the discharge openings of the bowl suchas the cover 5, such a lower cover collecting discharged substances thatpass downward through space 14 or corresponding spaces.

While my invention is applicable to centrifugal bowls supported androtated in any manner, the centrifugal bowl in the construction shown inFig. 1 is suspended and rotated by a spindle 6 that is in turn suitablysupported for rotation and flexure in a bearing support 7 carried byhearing bracket 8 of the frame 9. The spindle 6 may be rotated in anysuitable manner, as by pulley 10 driven by belt 11. 4 Y

\Vhile my invention is applicable to other constructions, in theconstruction shown in' Fig. 1 the frame includes a hollow portion 12 inwhich the bowl is supported for rotation, and the covers may besupported by the hollow portion 12 over the open top thereof.

In the operation of the construction shown in Fig. 1 air will be drawninto the space 13 between the neck of the bowl and the adjacent edge ofthe opening in the top-cover member 5, and it will pass out of thecentrifugal machine through the spout 5, and also through spout 4 undersome conditions of operation. and it will circulate in the covers. Thepath of gas or air, when nothing is issuing from the discharge openings,is indicated by the lines and arrows shown in Fig. 1. It appears thatthe discharge of a substance or constituent from the discharge opening 3increases the movement of air in a radially outward direction along apath intermediate the members 5 and 5 because air usually flows out ofall cover-spouts when nothing is discharging apparent that there will beextensive intermiugling and contact between air or gas and a substanceor constituent discharged in dispersed form from the centrifugal bowl.In such a construction such contact is sufiicient to produce evaporationof a solvent to such an extent that a dissolved solid substance in thedispersed discharge will be deposited to an objectionable extent and atundesirable points. Thus, in the clarification of lacquer comprisingpyroxylin and a solvent, and perhaps a pigment, in a constructionsimilar to that shown in Fig. 1, a sOlid or semi-solid deposit willbuild up in space 13 at the edge of the central opening in member 5, andat the point A on that member, and in the space 14 at the edge of thecentral opening of member 4. The deposit appears to build up at thepoint where the circulating gas or air flows away from the surface uponwhich the discharged material is flowing.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings there is shown a merely illustrativeembodiment of my invention, which embodiment constitutes a centrifugalmachine whereby my process may be practiced. In the construction shownin Fig. 2 the centrifugal bowl 1 is supported by a spindle 6 carried byand rotated in a hearing (not shown in detail) which is carried inbearing support 7 and is of usual construction and which substantiallycloses the space between the spindle 6 and the bearing support 7. Thebowl may be of any construction suitable to the desired centrifugaltreatment, and provided with a suitable number and arrangement of inletand discharge openings. While my invention is obviously applicable tobowls of the separator type having separate.

dischargeoutlets for separated constituents the bowl shown is of theclarilier type having outlets 3 for a single constituent. The lower endof the bowl is guided by a so-called dragassembly 14 of commonconstruction and is fed by a supply pipe 15.

In accordance with my invention the space 13 between the bowl or a partthereof and .the edge of the central'opening in the cover member 5 issubstantially enclosed by an enclosing member 16 acting in conjunctionwith the bearing support 7 and the bearing mechanism carried thereby.

The enclosing member 16 has a reasonably gas-tight connection with thecover member 5 as by resting upon a gasket 17 carried in a groovedmember 18 that is soldered or otherwise suitably connected to the covermember 5. In the embodiment of my invention shown, a clamping orcompressing member 19 engages the upper edge of the enclosing member 16and is caused to exert a downward pressure thereon as by means ofthethreaded connection 20 between the clamping member 19 and the bearingsupport 7.

The downward pressure exerted upon the enclosing member 16 holds theseveral parts of the covers in close contact with one another and withthe edge of the open top of the hollow frame member 12.

The covers 4 and 5 are respectively proyided with spouts 4 and 5 thatextend into receiver 21.

A gas or vapor conduit 22 communicates by a substantially tightconnection 23 with the enclosing member 16 and is provided with aportion 24 extending into receiver 21. The connections of the spouts 4,5* and portion 24 with receiver 21 are made substantially tight as bygaskets 2'5 and 26 respectively upon which rest collars or rings 25 and26. ;It is desirable that the outlet of receiver 21 be trapped as bytrap member 27. As a constructional detailenclosing member 16 consistsof two parts hinged together at one side at 16 and drawn to ether atthe, other side as by means of mem ers 30 that are pivoted at 31 to onepart of the enclosing member and upon which are threaded clampingmembers 28 acting against lu s 29 on the other part of enclosing member16. Enclosing member 16 may also be provided with windows 32 to permitobservation of the operation of the machine.

In the construction shown in Fig. 2, air from the surrounding atmosphereis preventcd from flowing into contact with a substance or constituentdischarged in dispersed form, by the means that substantially enclosesthe space 13 between the neck of the bowl and the adjacent edge of areceiving cover, and, instead, gas or air passing from a normal point ofgas out-flow of the machine such as the spout 5 is conducted to .anormal point of gas in-flow of the machine,

, such as the space 13 by a means such as the gas conduit 22. \Vhen asubstance is discharging from the bowl gas or vapor will probably flowthrough spout 1* from receiver 21 to cover 4 and then through space 14to cover 5. In this manner air or gas passes out of a cover with adischarged substance or constituent and is then conducted back into acover at a radially inward point and the gas or air coming into contactwith the dispersed discharge is saturated with vapors of the dischargedsubstance or of a constituent thereof and evaporation and deposit areprevented.

Any suitable gas or vapor may be supplied to the covers and circulatedtherethrough and therein, in the practice of my invention, as by meansof a gas supply cock 33 which may lead into the receiver 21 or into anyother convenient point in the system within which gas or air circulates.

This application is in part a; continuation of my copending application,Serial No. 506,165 filed October 7th, 1921,'for method and mechanism forremoving centrifuge effluents, wherein I claim broadly a process andapparatus for controlling the condition of a substance discharged indispersed form by regulating the conditions of the atmosphere in contacttherewith and specifically the regulation of the temperature of suchatmosphere; and it is in some respects a continuation of the copendingapplication filed joint- 1y by myself and Arthur U. Ayres, Serial No.710,388, filed May 1st, 1924, for'centrifugal machines and processesinvolving the use of the same, wherein we disclose as our broadinvention the process of controlling the condition of a substancedischarged in dispersed form by regulating the chemical composition or'pressure of the atmosphere acting on the dispersed substance.

\Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

1. In the centrifugal treatment of substances wherein the substahce issubjected to the action of centrifugal force and the substance or aconstituent thereof is discharged in dispersed form, the method ofpreventing undesirable alteration in the substance or a constituentthereof which comprises maintaining in contact with the disperseddischarge an atmosphere substantially saturated with vapors of thesubstance or such constituent thereof.

2. In the centrifugal treatment of substances wherein the substance issubjected to centrifugal force and the substance or a constituentthereof is discharged in dispersed form, the method of maintaining adesired atmosphere in contact with a substance ora constituent thereofdischarged in dispersed form, which comprises returning into contactwith the dispersed discharge gas flowing from a normal point of gasout-flow of the machine.

3. In the centrifugal treatment of substances wherein the substance issubjected to centrifugal force to effect a desired change therein andthe substance or a constituent thereof is discharged in'dispersed form,the method of maintaining in contact with the dispersed discharge anatmosphere substantially saturated with vapors of the substance or aconstituent thereof, which comprises returning into contact with thedispersed discharge vapor-containing gas previously in contact with thedispersed discharge.

at. In the centrifugal treatment of substances wherein the substance issubjected to centrifugal force and the substance or a con stituentthereof is discharged in dispersed form, the method of preventingevaporation of a discharged substance or a constituent thereof whichcomprises maintaining in contact with the dispersed discharge anatmosphere substantially saturated with vapors of said substance orconstituent.

5. In the centrifugal treatment of liquids containing solids in solutionor suspension wherein the liquid is discharged in dispersed form, themethod of preventing deposit of solids from the dispersed dischargewhich comprises maintaining in contact with the dispersed discharge anatmosphere substantially saturated with vapor of the liquid.

6. In the centrifugal treatment of substances wherein the substance issubjected to centrifugal force and the substance or a constituentthereof is discharged in dispersed form, the method of preventingevaporation of the substance or a constituent thereof which comprisesreturning into contact with the dispersed discharge vapor laden gasflowing from a normal point of gas outflow of the machine.

7. In the centrifugal treatment of substances wherein the substance issubjected to centrifugal force and the substance or a constituentthereof is discharged in dispersed form into a collecting receptaclesurrounding the centrifugal rotor, the method of preventing evaporationof a substance or a constituent thereof which comprises passing vaporladen gas, flowing from the collecting receptacle with the substance orconstituent, into a normal point of gas inflow of the centrifugalmachine.

8. In the centrifugal treatment of substances wherein the substance issubjected to centrifugal force and the substance or a constituentthereof is discharged in dispersed form into a collecting receptaclesurrounding the centrifugal rotor, the method of preventing evaporationof a substance or a constituent thereof which comprises passing into thereceptacle at a radially inward point thereof vapor laden gas flowingfrom the receptacle at a radially outward point thereof.

9. In the centrifugal treatment of substances wherein the substance issubjected to centrifugal force and the substance or a constituentthereof 1s discharged 1n dispersed form, the method of preventingevaporation of the substance or a constituent thereof which comprisesreturning vapor laden gas, flowing from a normal point of gas out-flowofjhe centrifugal machine, to a normal point of gas in-flow thereof.

10. In combination a centrifugal machine including a centrifugal bowlmounted for rotation, and means for returning to a normal place of gasin-flow of the machine the gas passing from a normal place of out-flowof the machine.

11. In a centrifugal machine, a centrifugal bowl mounted for rotation, areceptacle adapted to receive a substance or a constituent thereofdischarged from the rotating bowl, and means for conducting gas from theoutflow point of said receptacle to anormal place of gas in-flow of thecentrifugal machine.

12. In a centrifugal machine, a centrifugal bowl suspended for rotation,a receptacle for receiving a substance discharged from the centrifugalbowl and encircling said bowl and means for conducting gas, flowing froma radially outward point of said receptacle, into said receptacle at aradially inward point thereof.

13. In a centrifugal machine, a centrifugal bowl, a receptacleencircling said bowl and having an edge in spaced relation thereto andadapted to receive a substance discharged from said bowl and having adischarge opening, and means for conducting gas from the dischargeopening of said receptacle to the space between said receptacle and saidbowl.

14. In a centrifugal machine, a centrifugal bowl, a receptacle forreceiving a substance discharged therefrom, and means supplying to saidreceptacle vapors substantially saturated with said substance.

15. In acentrifugal machine, a centrifugal bowl, a receptacle receivinga substance discharged therefrom and having an outlet for the substance,and means conducting into said receptacle at a radially inward pointthereof gas passing out of said outlet of said receptacle.

16. In a centrifugal machine, a centrifugal bowl, a receptacleencircling said bowl and having an edge in spaced relation thereto andadapted to receive the substance discharged from said bowl and having adischarge opening, a chamber substantially enclosing the space betweensaid bowl and said encircling receptacle and means for conducting gasfrom the discharge opening of said receptacle to the space between saidreceptacle and said bowl.

17. In a centrifugal machine, a centrifugal bowl, a receptacle receivinga substance discharged therefrom, and means for preventing deposit insaid receptacle of solids dissolved in a liquid introduced into saidmachine.

18. In a centrifugal machine, a supporting frame, a spindle mountedtherein for rotation, a centrifugal bowl supported on said spindle, areceptacle encircling said bowl and having an edge in spaced relationthereto and adapted to receive a substance discharged from said bowl andhaving a discharge outlet, an enclosing member between said frame andsaid receptacle, and means for c0nductbowl mounted for rotation in saidframe, a receptacle encircling said bowl in spaced relation andreceiving a substance discharged from said bowl and otherwisesubstantially closing the open top of said frame member and having anoutlet for a received substance, and means conducting to the spacebetween said bowl and receptacle gas flowing from said outlet.

20. In a centrifugal machine, a centrifugal bowl mounted for rotation, areceptacle adapted to receive a substance or a constituent thereofdischarged from the rotating bowl, a gas conduit exterior of saidreceptacle and leading from a radially outward point thereof to aradially inward point thereof and forming therewith a gas circulationsystem, and means for introducing gas to said system.

21. In the centrifugal treatment of substances, the method comprisingsubjecting the substance to centrifugal force to effect a change thereinand discharging the substance or a constituent thereof in dispersedform, and controlling the condition of the substance or constituent bymaintaining an atmosphere substantially saturated with vapor therefromin contact therewith while it exists in the dispersed form in which itis discharged. 7

22. In a device of the class described, a rotatable centrifugal bowl,receptacles for collecting substances discharged in dispersed form fromsaid centrifugal bowl, and means for maintaining at a gas in-fiow pointof said receptacles an atmosphere of vapor laden gas flowing from a gasout-flow point thereof.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification. v

LEO D. JONES.

